Sept. 30, Oct. 15 fundraisers planned for Justice Bertina Lampkin

Two fundraisers are being planned by supporters of Justice Bertina E. Lampkin's bid to remain on the Illinois Appellate Court, and the first of these is coming up soon. On Wednesday, September 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Lampkin's supporters will host a reception for their candidate at the law firm of Tabet DiVito & Rothstein, 209 S. LaSalle, 7th Floor. Tickets for this event are priced at $100 each (but other contribution levels are suggested, whether $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 or $5,400).

The second fundraising event will be held at Petterino's, 50 West Randolph Street, on Thursday, October 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be the Honorary Chair for this gathering. Tickets for the Petterino's event are priced at $150 each and sponsorships are available as well (Friend - $250, Supporter - $500, Host - $1,000, Co-Chair - $2,500, or Chair - $5,000).

For more information about either event, or to order tickets, email Kelly McKevitt at kmckevitt@newchicagollc.com, or call her at (312) 448-8014.

Monica Torres-Linares plans countywide judicial bid

Monica M. Torres-Linares is circulating petitions to run for a countywide judicial vacancy, according to this Facebook page. There's no campaign website yet, at least none that I've found, but when and if one is set up, her name will be added to the candidate list in the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2003, Torres-Linares is the Managing Counsel of Justicia Attorneys/ Abogados, a firm which focuses, according to a campaign biography accessible through her Facebook page, on "Criminal, Family and Immigration Law, particularly in working-class and Latino communities." A former president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (2008-09), Torres-Linares ran for the Cook County Board in the 2010 Democratic Primary, unsuccessfully taking on Jerry "The Iceman" Butler, but winning a number of prestigious endorsements, including the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune in the process.

According to her campaign bio, Torres-Linares was "a founding board member of Legal Prep Charter Academies, a legal-themed charter high school on Chicago's west side, and currently serves on the Local School Council for Murray Language Academy, a CPS school on the south side." The campaign bio also notes that Torres-Linares "hosted the show 'Political Forum' for two years while serving as a board member for CAN TV" and that she provides pro bono work for Catholic Charities Legal Assistance, Cook County Elder Justice Center, the Resurrection Project, The Mexican Consulate and LUCHA.

Bertina Lampkin campaign releases campaign bio

Appellate Court Justice Bertina Lampkin was recently endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party in her bid to keep the Appellate Court seat she now holds pursuant to Supreme Court appointment.

Justice Lampkin's campaign committee has launched her campaign by circulating a campaign biography. The biography notes her service on the Appellate Court since 2009, where she has "authored over 400 Opinions and Orders." Before being assigned to the Appellate Court, Lampkin was a Supervising Judge in the Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, trying felony cases, "including many death penalty eligible cases," and supervising five to eight other judges.

In 1996 and 1997, Lampkin served as Supervising Judge of Domestic Violence Courts, hearing domestic violence cases and reviewing "over 1,000 emergency orders of protection." She became an Associate Judge in 1987 and was elected to the Circuit Court bench in 1992.

Before becoming a judge, Lampkin served as a Senior Attorney in the Office of the Corporation Counsel. Lampkin began her legal career in 1974, after graduating from DePaul University Law School, serving from 1974 to 1985 as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney.

Among the many awards and honors received by Justice Lampkin in the course of her career are the 2010 Judicial Award, from the Cook County Bar Association, the 2010 C.F. Stradford Award from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, and the 2002 Mary Heftel Hooton Award for Service to the Profession, conferred by the Women's Bar Association of Illinois.

Justice Lampkin's community involvement includes her longtime service at Saint Paul CME Church, as "Steward, Sunday School Teacher, Director of Praise Dance Ministry, Tutor of children and young adults for nationwide Bible and Church History Contests." Lampkin's campaign biography notes that James D. Montgomery, Sr., Jerry Latherow and Retired Appellate Court Justice Gino DiVito are serving as Co-Chairs of her Campaign Committee.

Martin, Sullivan reportededly slated in the 11th Subcircuit; Joanne Rosado gets nod as alternate

Updated and corrected

A commenter pointed me to Facebook this morning, where Judge Marc Martin reports that 11th Subcircuit committeemen slated him and Judge William B. Sullivan for the two vacancies in Cook County's 11th Judicial Subcircuit.

According to the Elect Judge Marc Martin Facebook page, Joanne Rosado, an Assistant Public Defender who sought an 11th Subcircuit vacancy in 2014, has been named as an alternate, meaning that she would be pre-slated in the event another 11th Subcircuit vacancy should open up in time for the 2016 primary and perhaps meaning that she will be an early favorite for slating whenever another 11th Subcircuit vacancy opens (assuming, of course, that she does not run against the Party now).

11th Subcircuit slatemakers to meet tomorrow

A helpful commenter tipped me off on this, citing to this issue of The Progressive, the electronic newsletter of the Democratic Party of Oak Park.

Here is the text of the announcement:

A meeting of the committeemen of the 11th Judicial Subcircuit will take place on Saturday, September 19 at 1:00pm at the DPOP office, 1243 Woodbine in Oak Park to consider candidates for 2 vacancies for Judge of the Circuit Court, 11th Judicial Subcircuit. Anyone interested in appearing before the endorsement committee is welcome to attend. Please call DPOP at 708-386-0090 or email dpop@donharmon.org if you wish to be scheduled.

Freddrenna M. Lyle campaign website found

Found on the Internet, the campaign website for Judge Freddrenna M. Lyle. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar.

Judge Lyle currently holds the Stuart vacancy in the 5th Subcircuit pursuant to appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court and, from the campaign website, it appears that Judge Lyle intends to seek election to this vacancy.

Lyle has previously served in other vacancies pursuant to Supreme Court appointment. She was appointed to a 2nd Subcircuit vacancy in 2011. She was later assigned to a vacancy in the 7th Subcircuit. Judge Lyle was slated for an Appellate Court vacancy by the Democratic Party for the 2014 Primary. Before joining the judiciary, Lyle served as Alderman and Committeeman of Chicago's 6th Ward.

Lyle's website notes that she served as President of the Cook County Bar Association in 1990. Her campaign website notes that she has been the recipient of numerous awards in the course of her career, including the Kizzy Image and Achievement Award; the Ralph Metcalfe Award, conferred by Black Contractors United; an Outstanding Woman Award, presented by Women in NAACP; and a Woman of Distinction award, presented by Rainbow PUSH. She lists membership in several civic organizations, including the Park Manor Neighbors, Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, Rainbow PUSH, and the NAACP.

James E. Hanlon, Jr. campaign website goes live

James E. Hanlon, Jr., recently slated by the Democratic Party for the "A" vacancy in the 12th Subcircuit, has a campaign website up and running. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Hanlon has worked as Director of Client Development and Director of Knowledge Management for Novus Law LLC since 2010. He had a solo law practice between 2008 and 2010 and, before that, was an equity partner in two Big Law firms, Howrey, LLP (in the Global Litigation Group) and what is now called Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. He has been licensed in Illinois since 1984.

Hanlon has served as a Trial Coach for the Chicago Coalition for Law Related Education program (working on Theodore Roosevelt and Hubbard High School's Mock Court Team) and as a mentor Mentor in the Illinois's Supreme Court's Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentor Program. He is a former President of the Northbrook Hockey League and the Glenbrook North Spartan Hockey Club.

Campaign website found for Judge Eve Marie Reilly

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Judge Eve Marie Reilly, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Howard vacancy in the 10th Subcircuit but passed over by 10th Subcircuit committeemen at their recent slating meeting. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Readers will recall the 10th Subcircuit slatemakers named Reilly as an "alternate," meaning that the Party would support her if another vacancy opened up.

Now -- this is just the blogger speaking here -- and I want to make that clear because, as of this writing, I've not been contacted by Judge Reilly or anyone on her behalf -- it sure looks like she's not going to wait around and see if that speculative contingency occurs.

Reilly's campaign website notes that she worked her way through John Marshall Law School as a law clerk for the firm of Patricia C. Bobb and Associates. After obtaining her license in 1997, Reilly went to work for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, remaining in that office until her appointment to the bench in August 2014. According to her campaign website, Reilly supervised ASA's "in the prosecution of criminal appeals before the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts" from 2006-2012. Her campaign website lists Mike Demetrio, of Corboy & Demetrio, as her campaign manager; Mike Kasper as her campaign legal advisor; and Mike Tierney as her campaign consultant. Corboy & Demetrio administrator Marcy Twardak is listed as the campaign treasurer.

Mary Alice Melchor to run in the 5th Subcircuit

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Mary Alice Melchor, candidate for judge in Cook County's 5th Judicial Subcircuit. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar as well.

Licensed in Illinois since 1992, Melchor is currently Inspector General for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, focusing, in that capacity, according to her campaign website, "on the concerns of citizens who feel they have not been treated fairly in the court system or the Clerk’s Office." The campaign website adds, "The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) includes the Investigations Department and the Audit Services Department of the Clerk’s Office. The departments investigate concerns from outside agencies, the general public, customers and employees as they relate to the Clerk’s Office."

Before joining the Clerk's office, Melchor worked as an attorney in private practice and also as house counsel for Liberty Mutual and the Chicago Housing Authority, according to her campaign website. Before becoming a lawyer, the campaign bio on her website notes, Melchor was a special education teacher in Chicago for 12 years and the owner and manager of an insurance agency for 10 years.

Melchor was President of the Black Women's Law Association of Greater Chicago in 2008-09 and still serves on the board of that organization. She has also served as a board member for the Cosmopolitan Community Church of Chicago for over 25 years. Melchor ran for a countywide judicial vacancy in the 2014 primary.

Website for Judge Carrie Hamilton goes live

A campaign website has been established for Judge Carrie Hamilton, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the 12th Subcircuit Tristano vacancy this past July and recently slated for that position by the Democratic Committeemen for the 12th Subcircuit. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1996, Hamilton spent the last 14 years as an Assistant United States Attorney, prosecuting high-level corruption cases and rising, according to her campaign website, to Deputy Chief in the Public Corruption Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office. She was one of the lead prosecutors in the Rod Blagojevich case. At the time of her appointment to the bench, according to her campaign website, Hamilton was "prosecuting the case against Former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert as well as the case alleging corruption in the awarding of the City of Chicago’s red light camera contracts." In addition to her work in corruption cases, Hamilton, "led a federal program on combating prostitution of minors and served as the coordinator for federal programs related to child exploitation, child prostitution, human trafficking and violence against women." She has also prosecuted a wide variety of cases, including violent, gang-related crimes, according to her campaign webiste.

Hamilton has also served as adjunct professor at the Northwestern University School of Law’s Trial Advocacy Program and has served as a trial advocacy instructor at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center. She has also served as a board member for the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy.

Website launched, September 24 fundraiser planned for Judge Anna Maria Loftus

Supporters of Judge Anna Maria Loftus's bid to retain the 6th Subcircuit seat to which she was appointed in April 2014 have launched a campaign website for their candidate. That's a link to the website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Loftus's supporters have also scheduled a fundraiser for their candidate, on Thursday, September 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the 34th Floor Amenity Center at 200 S. Wacker Drive. Tickets for the event, which will be hosted by Hall Prangle and Schoonveld LLC, are $100 apiece. Sponsorships are also available (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000). For more information about the event, or to order tickets, email khull@hpslaw.com.

Loftus began her legal career as a law clerk to then-Appellate Court Justice Michael J. Gallagher. From there, Loftus went to Peterson and Ross, before joining Hall Prangle. At the time the Illinois Supreme Court appointed her to the bench, Loftus was the hiring partner at Hall Prangle. According to her campaign website, while at HPS, Loftus also defended hospitals, doctors and nurses in complex medical malpractice suits. She has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1998.

According to her campaign website, after graduating from the University of Michigan (in 1991), and before attending law school, Loftus "began her career in Chicago at a national non-profit organization to prevent child abuse and neglect where she helped coordinate an international conference welcoming over 2500 participants from 72 countries. Next, she coordinated the development of comprehensive home visiting programs for new parents in Chicago and in communities across the country."

The honorary Co-Chairs of the Loftus campaign are Joseph A. Power Jr. and Jesse H. Ruiz.

Democrats slate Hamilton, Hanlon in 12th Subcircuit

Democratic Committeemen in Cook County's 12th Judicial Subcircuit have voted to endorse Judge Carrie E. Hamilton for the Tristano vacancy and James E. Hanlon, Jr. for the "A" vacancy in that subcircuit.

Judge Hamilton currently holds the Tristano vacancy pursuant to appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court. Hanlon was a candidate for the Jordan vacancy in the 12th Subcircuit in 2014.

According to an email provided to FWIW from Northfield Township Committeeman Mike Kreloff, should an additional vacancy open up in the 12th Subcircuit in time for the 2016 Primary, Louis Apostol would be "strongly considered" for endorsement -- assuming he does not run, or circulate petitions to run, against Hamilton or Hanlon. Ralph Meczyk also appeared before the 12th Subcircuit Committeemen, according to Kreloff's email.

Campaign Kick-Off Reception for Judge Lyke on September 29

Supporters of Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke's countywide judicial candidacy are planning a Campaign Kick-Off on Tuesday, September 29, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., at the Rosebud, 70 W. Madison.

Tickets for the event are $250 each, but "young professionals" (i.e., lawyers in practice for fewer than five years) can purchase tickets for a discounted price of $100. Sponsorships are also available (Friend - $500, Supporter - $1,000, Host - $2,500, and Sponsor - $5,000). Among those planning the Judge Lyke's Kick-Off Reception are Joe Power, Larry Rogers, Sr., Louis Cairo, Larry Rogers, Jr., Judge David Erickson (Retired), and Justice Marcus Salone (Retired).

For more information, or to order tickets, call (312) 854-8018 or visit the event page on Judge Lyke's website.

Richard C. Cooke, Carlos Claudio slated in 6th Subcircuit

The Democratic Committeemen of Cook County's 6th Judicial Subcircuit met yesterday and agreed to endorse Richard C. Cooke for the Gonzalez-Santiago vacancy and Carlos Claudio for the "A" vacancy, according to multiple FWIW sources.

Also appearing before the 6th Subcircuit Committeemen, according to an FWIW source, were, in addition to Cooke and Claudio, Judge Anna Loftus (who currently holds the "A" vacancy pursuant to Supreme Court appointment), Ed Underhill, Eulalia (Evie) De La Rosa (the immediate Past President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois) and Ricardo Lugo (who ran for a 6th Subcircuit vacancy in 2012).

Campaign website unveiled for Judge Devlin Schoop

A campaign website has been established for Judge Devlin Schoop, recently appointed to (and recently slated by the Democratic Party for) the countywide Karzenis vacancy. That's a link to Judge Schoop's campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar.

Schoop's website notes that Schoop was a partner in the law firm of Laner Muchin, Ltd. immediately prior to becoming a judge, "where he represented people, businesses, and local governments in commercial, employment and civil rights cases." He began his legal career, according to the campaign website, as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Blanche M. Manning. Before his appointment to the Circuit Court, Judge Schoop was appointed "a Hearing Officer on the Hearing Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee (ARDC), which is responsible for investigating and adjudicating allegations of attorney misconduct." In 2011, according to the campaign website, Schoop became a Panel Chair.

According to the campaign website, Schoop also served on the Associate Board of the Jane Addams Hull House Association and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Conflict Resolution. Schoop has served as a member of the Local School Council for Esmond Elementary School, and has been active with the homeless feeding mission sponsored by the United Methodist Men’s Group of the Morgan Park United Methodist Church. Judge Schoop is a graduate of Chicago's Whitney Young High School, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Illinois College of Law.

Michael Malatesta seeks 10th Subcircuit judicial vacancy

Michael Malatesta is apparently circulating petitions for the Howard vacancy in the 10th Subcircuit. There's no campaign website yet (not that I could find) but there is a campaign Facebook page and that is what the link in the preceding sentence will take you to.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2002, Malatesta heads the Malatesta Law Offices in downtown Chicago.

September 24 fundraiser set for Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke

Supporters of Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke's campaign for the Appellate Court have scheduled a fundraiser for their candidate on Thursday, September 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tradition Bar, 160 North Franklin Street.

Tickets for the event are priced at $150 apiece. Sponsorships are available (Silver - $300; Gold - $500; Platinum - $1,000).

The Cook County Democratic Party recently endorsed Judge Burke for one of the two available Appellate Court openings.

Who sits where -- now updated with the official ISBE List of Judicial Vacancies

The Illinois State Board of Elections has released the official list of judicial vacancies, this one current through August 17.

The only additions to the list that has appeared here before are for the Savage vacancy in the 2nd Subcircuit and the Rivkin-Carothers vacancy in the 7th (the Rivkin-Carothers vacancy having been filled just last week). That doesn't mean there won't be more. There probably will be a couple of more, anyway. But these are the vacancies that exist now, along with the identity of the person currently appointed to each vacancy.

Appellate Court Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. James R. Epstein -- Stuart E. Palmer
Vacancy of the Hon. Patrick J. Quinn -- Bertina E. Lampkin

Countywide Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. Paul P. Biebel, Jr. -- John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr.
Vacancy of the Hon. Richard J. Elrod -- Rossana P. Fernandez
Vacancy of the Hon. Thomas L. Hogan -- Alison Conlon
Vacancy of the Hon. Michael J. Howlett, Jr. -- Aleksandra Nikolich Gillespie
Vacancy of the Hon. Themis N. Karzenis -- Devlin J. Schoop
Vacancy of the Hon. Noreen Valeria Love -- Jean Margaret Cocozza
Vacancy of the Hon. Patrick W. O'Brien -- James L. Kaplan
Vacancy of the Hon. Susan Ruscitti-Grussel -- Daniel J. Duffy

Subcircuit Vacancies

1st Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Cynthia Y. Brim -- Maryam Ahmad
Vacancy of the Hon. Vanessa A. Hopkins -- Anthony E. Simpkins

2nd Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Drella Savage -- vacant

4th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. William J. Kunkle -- Edward John King

5th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Jane L. Stuart -- Freddrenna M. Lyle
Vacancy of the Hon. Shelli Williams -- Robin D. Shoffner

6th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Leida J. Gonzalez-Santiago -- vacant
"A" Vacancy^* -- Anna M. Loftus

7th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Anthony L. Burrell -- Marianne Jackson
Vacancy of the Hon. Anita Rivkin-Carothers -- Patrica S. Spratt

9th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Andrew Berman -- Jerry A. Esrig

10th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Garritt E. Howard -- Eve M. Reilly

11th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Carol A. Kelly -- Marc William Martin
Vacancy of the Hon. Susan F. Zwick -- William B. Sullivan

12th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Sandra Tristano -- Carrie E. Hamilton
"A" Vacancy^** -- Roger G. Fein

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^* This is the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William J. Maddux. Vacancies of judges elected to city-only or suburbs-only judicial vacancies prior to the adoption of the subcircuit system in the early 1990s are assigned to subcircuits as they occur pursuant to a schedule included in the original subcircuit legislation.

^** This is the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert J. Quinn. Like Judge Maddux, Judge Quinn was elected to a 'Chicago-only' Circuit Court vacancy in 1992, the last time judges were elected on a citywide or suburbs-only basis (and also the first time judges were elected from Cook County Subcircuits).

Edward J. King campaign website launched

A campaign website has been launched for Judge Edward J. King. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge King to the Kunkle vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit in October 2014. He was licensed to practice law in Illinois in 1981. According to his campaign website, before taking the bench, King's private practice "focused on personal injury, chancery, estate, and criminal matters." In addition, King worked as the attorney for the Township of Lyons for nearly 29 years. From 1988, according to the website, King also served as a special assistant attorney general handling eminent domain matters. He worked as a volunteer attorney for the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission for 25 years.

King holds bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Northern Illinois University. He served in the United States Marine Corps in both active duty and reserve roles between 1970 and 1976. His J.D. was conferred by John Marshall Law School in 1981. King and his wife are the parents of four children.

Stephanie Saltouros slated in 10th Subcircuit; Judge Eve Reilly named an alternate

Tenth Subcircuit Democratic Committeemen have named criminal defense attorney Stephanie Saltouros as their candidate for the Howard vacancy in that subcircuit, bypassing Judge Eve M. Reilly, who was appointed to that vacancy by the Illinois Supreme Court.

According to an FWIW source who was present for the slating meeting, held Monday night in the banquet hall of Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria in Edison Park, Saltouros, Reilly and five others (Deidre Baumann; Richard G. Cenar, Jr.; James Patrick Crawley; Colleen Reardon Daly; and Katherine A. O'Dell) sought the endorsement.

In addition to slating Saltouros, the 10th Subcircuit Slating Committee, chaired by 41st Ward Committeeman Mary O'Connor, named Judge Reilly as first alternate. This means that the Democratic committeemen in the 10th Subcircuit have voted not to support Judge Reilly if she runs to keep the seat she now holds, but if another 10th Subcircuit vacancy opens up in time for the 2016 Primary, the Party will support Reilly for that vacancy.

Joint fundraiser for Judges Gillespie and Martin set for September 17

Per email received from attorney Charles Beach, a fundraiser has been scheduled to support the judicial bids of both Judge Aleksandra Gillespie (running countywide) and Judge Marc Martin (running in the 11th Subcircuit) on Thursday, September 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 312 Chicago, 136 North LaSalle Street.

Tickets for the event are $150 each and may be obtained at the door; no RSVP is necessary, according to Beach, who also advises that he will co-host the event along with attorneys Todd Pugh, Tom Breen, and Donna Rotunno.

Campaign website found for Judge Anthony Simpkins

Found on the Internet, the campaign website of Judge Anthony E. Simpkins. That's a link to the campaign site in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar.

Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1994, Simpkins was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court late last year. According to the campaign website, Simpkins became a Deputy Commissioner for the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development in 2007, "focusing on housing preservation initiatives and economic development policy." For a decade before that, Simpkins was an Assistant Corporation Counsel, serving as Senior Counsel in the Building & Land Use Litigation Division.

According to his campaign website, Simpkins has served as a board member and past-president of the Muslim Bar Association of Chicago and as a board member of the Cook County Bar Association. Simpkins also serves as a Board member of the Downtown Islamic Center, the RTW Veterans Center, and as Managing Editor of the Journal of Islamic Law and Culture.

Ahmad, Simpkins slated for judicial posts in 1st Judicial Subcircuit

Judge Maryam Ahmad announced today on Facebook that she has been "officially endorsed today by the Cook County Democratic Party as its candidate" for the Brim vacancy and that her colleague, Judge Anthony E. Simpkins, was endorsed by the Party for the Hopkins vacancy.

John Fitzgerald Lyke campaign website launched

A campaign website for Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr. has now gone live. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

According to his campaign website, Judge Lyke is a lifelong Chicago-area resident, raised on the South Side of Chicago, "in the Robert Taylor housing project and Englewood communities." While growing up "poor and the youngest and only son of a single-mother of six," Lyke "dreamed of becoming a lawyer and ultimately a judge." Lyke was licensed as an attorney in Illinois in 1994. He was appointed to the countywide Biebel vacancy just this past July; this month he was slated by the Cook County Democratic Party for a countywide judicial post.

Lyke's campaign website notes that, before becoming a judge, he tried "over 500 cases, argued thousands of motions and negotiated thousands of settlements. He served as prosecutor for approximately six years and a criminal defense attorney for 15 years thereafter. Thus, Lyke writes, "I’ve been on both 'sides of the fence.'" Lyke also served as an Administrative Law Judge for the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing before his bench appointment, according to his campaign website.

Aleksandra Gillespie campaign website goes live

Supporters of Judge Aleksandra Gillespie's bid to retain her countywide judgeship have launched a campaign website for their candidate. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Gillespie to the countywide Howlett vacancy in August 2014; the Cook County Democratic Party recently slated her for a countywide seat.

Gillespie has been licensed as an attorney since 1993. Before becoming a judge, Gillespie served as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney, rising to a first chair trial position. According to her campaign website, Gillespie worked at the Second Municipal District Courthouse in Skokie, "litigating motions and trials, negotiating all pleas, educating, supervising and mentoring junior members of the litigation team." Outside the courtroom, Judge Gillespie has, according to her campaign website, been active in church, school and youth hockey programs (Gillespie and her husband are the parents of two sons). According to her campaign website, Gillespie has also participated in "community outreach and educational programs" and provided "educational guidance to law enforcement."

Brendan O'Brien fundraiser set for September 30

Supporters of Brendan O'Brien's countywide judicial bid have announced a fundraiser for their candidate on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Rosebud Theater District, 70 West Madison Street.

Powers Rogers & Smith, P.C. and Hurley McKenna & Mertz P.C. are hosting the event.

The suggested donation for the fundraiser is $100 per person, although $500 sponsorships are available.

For more information, or to reserve tickets, email nrowell@hinshawlaw.com.

O'Brien was recently slated for a countywide judicial seat by the Cook County Democratic Party.

Updated August 29 to provide a different end time for the event per subsequent information received.

Alison Conlon campaign website goes on line

Per email received from Thom Mannard, a campaign website has been established for Judge Alison Conlon. That's a link to the website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

Judge Conlon was appointed to the countywide Hogan vacancy earlier this year; earlier this month, the Cook County Democratic Party agreed to support her countywide judicial bid.

Conlon's campaign website notes her extensive pro bono practice before becoming a judge. "Since her appointment to the bench," the campaign website notes, "in addition to her regular judicial duties [Conlon] has volunteered each week in the 'flexible hours' court for parties who are not represented by lawyers, enabling parties to appear before or after hours between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. or 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. to avoid missing work."

Conlon graduated from New Trier High School and got her bachelor's degree from Yale University. She received a master’s degree from Georgetown University and her law degree from Duke Law School. She began her legal career as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras. She later served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel. Colon was a partner in the firm of Barnes & Thornburg at the time of her appointment to the bench where, according to her campaign website, "she represented people, businesses, cities and villages in commercial and tort litigation."

Patricia S. Spratt appointed to 7th Subcircuit vacancy

The Illinois Supreme Court yesterday named Patricia S. Spratt to fill the 7th Subcircuit vacancy created by the recent retirement of Judge Anita Rivkin-Carothers. The appointment is effective September 8 and terminates on December 5, 2016.

Spratt is a currently partner in the Chicago office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; she has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1991. She was a candidate for the countywide Neville vacancy in 2014, winning endorsements from the Tribune and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky along the way.

Campaign website found for Judge Marc Martin

A campaign website has been launched for Judge Marc Martin. That's a link to the site in the preceding sentence; a link has been added to the blog Sidebar.

Martin's campaign bio highlights his experience as a criminal defense attorney, noting his participation "in numerous high-profile cases and trials (e.g., R. Kelly, Conrad Black, R.J. Vanecko, and cases arising from the federal government’s Greylord, Gambat and Family Secrets investigations)." According to his campaign website, Martin has briefed or argued over 100 cases before the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals -- more than 50 cases before the 7th Circuit alone.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Martin to the Kelly vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit in the Spring of 2014.

Ed Underhill announces 6th Subcircuit judicial bid; campaign website launched

Ed Underhill has announced his candidacy for judge in the 6th Subcircuit. That's a link to Underhill's campaign website in the preceding sentence (it has just gone live); a link has been added to the blog Sidebar as well.

Underhill has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1984. He is a principal in the Chicago office of Masuda Funai. His work biography highlights his practice in "intellectual-property disputes, contract disputes, UCC disputes (including commercial warranty claims), dealer terminations, unfair competition, business torts, and limited non-commercial claims." It also states that Underhill has developed a significant ADR practice, representing clients in mediations and arbitrations. The work biography adds that Underhill is a "published playwright and short story writer," winning the Chicago Lawyer Fiction Contest in 1986. Underhill has also been "a finalist in various national fiction writing competitions," according to his work bio.

Underhill's campaign website notes that he has been a homeowner in the Bucktown neighborhood for 15 years (he lives with his husband, Liam, and their dog Finn, according to the website) and has been active in the Bucktown Community Organization. Also according to his campaign website, Underhill has served as a member of the Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee and is a former president of the Northern Illinois University Alumni Council.

FWIW tops 1,000,000 page views

It happened sometime last night.

Here is how matters stood when I left the office last evening:

And here is how things looked when I signed on this morning:

Fellow bloggers will understand the near-obsessive concern with stats; that means 99% of my regular readers will respond with a hearty who cares?

Still, you have to admit, a million seems like a nice, round number. It even gives a blog a certain weight of authority or gravitas, occasional posts like this one notwithstanding.

I would think the achievement even more substantial were I not persuaded (by the comments I've intercepted in comment moderation) that thousands of these one-million-plus page views were initiated by shady characters looking to place spam ads for sex toys or knockoff fashion goods. Of course, since I delete all those comments, you need never know about these.

Ooops.

Well, anyway, most of the people arriving here at FWIW are looking for information about Cook County judicial races -- candidates, lawyers thinking about becoming candidates, judges, campaign consultants, and (when election time draws near) actual voters, at least some of whom must think that FWIW is a resource for making informed decisions on judicial candidates. So, that's good. I think.

Page Two of this blog is not nearly as popular as this one (not quite 85,000 page views according to the stats page). But that's hardly surprising, since Page Two isn't updated that frequently, except at the height of the election seasons, and the content there is not only irregular, but eclectic.

In any event, thank you for visiting FWIW. Now, onward to our 2,000,000th page view....

William B. Sullivan campaign website, September 10 fundraiser announced

Supporters of Judge William B. Sullivan have launched a campaign website and scheduled a September 10 fundraiser for their candidate. That's a link to the campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the blog Sidebar.

The Thursday, September 10 fundraiser for Judge Sullivan will be at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be available. Tickets are $100 each and sponsorships are available as well ($250 - bronze, $500 - silver, $1,000 - gold, and $5,000 platinum). For additional information about the event, or to order tickets, email csteacher@sbcglobal.net.

The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Sullivan to the Zwick vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit this past April (he took office in June). His campaign website notes that he is a 1984 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, and a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Music and History. Sullivan attended DePaul University Law School, where, according to the campaign site, "he was the founder and two-time editor-in-chief of the DePaul Journal of Art, Technology, and Intellectual Property Law (formerly known as the DePaul Journal of Art and Entertainment Law)."

After graduating from DePaul in 1992, Sullivan set up a solo law practice in Oak Park where, according to his campaign biography, he practiced in the areas "real estate, bank and business transactions, estate planning, commercial litigation, personal injury, landlord-tenant disputes, and probate and estate administration" until he was appointed to the bench. Sullivan was also a licensed real estate broker and operated a real estate brokerage firm from 1998 to the date of his judicial installation.

According to his campaign website, Sullivan has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University College of Law and as a Hearing Officer for the Illinois State Board of Elections. He was "twice elected President of the Cicero Township Trustees of Schools, an entity that collected, invested and distributed tax monies on behalf of Oak Park, Berwyn, and Cicero schools." Sullivan has served as co-founder and president of the Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association; vice president of the Oak Park Area Arts Council; president of the Oak Park Huskies Baseball Club, Inc.; and as a member of the Board of Directors of L’Arche Chicago, a not-for-profit social services organization, and the Oak Park Township Senior Services Committee. He has also volunteered as a coach with the Oak Park Youth Baseball program and serves as a cantor and lector at St. Catherine of Siena–St. Lucy Parish.

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Cook County Dems slate six sitting judges for eight Circuit Court vacancies; Lampkin and Burke slated for the Appellate Court

The Cook County Democratic Party today endorsed six of the eight judges already serving by Supreme Court appointment for countywide vacancies in the March primary. Although the Democratic Party has not announced whether these six judges have been endorsed for the vacancies they currently fill, the six appointed judges receiving the Democratic Party's blessing are:

• Alison Conlon,
• Daniel Patrick Duffy,
• Rossana Fernandez,
• Alexandra Gillespie,
• John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr., and
• Devlin Joseph Schoop.

The Party endorsed Brendan O'Brien and Maureen O'Donoghue Hannon for the other two countywide vacancies. O'Brien filed for a countywide vacancy in the 2014 primary, withdrawing in January 2014 and leaving the Democratic Party's slated candidate (and eventual victor) Kristal Rivers in a one-on-one with appointed Judge Peter J. Vilkelis. (Vilkelis was subsequently named an Associate Judge.) Hannon was also a candidate in the 2014 election cycle, also withdrawing in January 2014 and leaving the Democratic Party's slated candidate (and the eventual victor) Diana Rosario in a one-on-one contest with Stephen J. Feldman.

Five alternates were also chosen -- meaning that, when and if additional countywide vacancies open up (assuming that the alternate does not run against the Party's slate in the meantime) these individuals are already 'pre-slated.' The five alternates, in order, are Fredrick Bates, Sean Chaudhuri, Patrick Heneghan, Nichole Patton, and Peter Michael Gonzalez.

The two appointed countywide Circuit Court judges who did not receive the endorsement of the Democratic Party are Judges Jean Margaret Cocozza and James L. Kaplan. According to Manuel Galvan, press secretary for the Cook County Democratic Party, neither Judge Cocozza nor Judge Kaplan scheduled an appearance before the slating committee.

There are currently two Appellate Court vacancies. Justice Bertina Lampkin holds one of these by Supreme Court appointment; the other is held by Justice Stuart E. Palmer. Justice Lampkin was slated today by the Cook County Democratic Party for one of these two vacancies, as was Circuit Court Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke. Three alternates were also selected. In order, these are Associate Judge William Boyd, Judge Raul Vega, and Associate Judge Leonard Murray. Justice Palmer did not schedule an appearance before the slating committee, according to Galvan.

Reality intrudes -- a programming note

Two years ago, with the Cook County Democratic Party's slating meeting at the Hotel Allegro, steps from my office, and steps from the Daley Center, I was able to sit in and observe as much as of the judicial slating process as any outsider could. I had one matter to cover in the course of the two-day session, and I was able to run to court and run back without missing much of anything.

This year, however,the slating meeting, which began yesterday, is at the Erie Cafe, on the west end of the River North area. Neither my office nor the Daley Center has moved, and I have too much on my desk to permit me the luxury of attending.

It would be one thing if there were useful, productive legal work on my desk. After all, the practice of law is my day job -- this blogging enterprise may be fun for me and informative for my readers, but blogging won't pay my bills.

But the truth is, the red-hot, five-alarm emergencies on my desk are mostly discovery matters.

The discovery matters on my desk break down into two categories -- (1) needless and pointless form discovery and (2) discovery deployed as a "tactical game," notwithstanding the Supreme Court's admonition against that sort of thing in Williams v. A.E. Staley Mfg. Co., 83 Ill.2d 559, 416 N.E.2d 252, 256 (1981).

Of course, since 1981, the Supreme Court has gone into the business of prescribing form discovery....

There was one time, back in the early 1980s, when I personally saw something in discovery that dramatically impacted the outcome of a case: I was the junior associate in my firm, tasked with slogging through the medical records subpoenaed in a personal injury case, when I came across a nurse's note recounting how hospital security had to be dispatched to fetch back the supposedly-seriously-injured patient-now-plaintiff who'd slipped away from his bed... and into a nearby tavern.

I haven't seen anything half as good since. And I've seen far too many discovery requests and responses and piles and piles of subpoenaed records.

As a solo practitioner, I'm still looking. I have to: I have no junior associates or paralegals on whom to dump the thankless task of completing form discovery responses. So, while I'm very grateful for the uptick in paying legal work, my current caseload (in my experience, the mix changes over time) includes a lot of litigation matters, all in the discovery phase. Because I have to do the discovery myself I see first-hand the effect that "discovery" of things already known and/or really unimportant to the disposition of a case has on the cost of litigation. Discovery deployed as a tactical weapon is even more costly -- and injurious to our stated professional goals of civility and access to justice.

But these are issues to take up when the workload permits.

Meanwhile, I've had some rumors from inside the slating meeting about who will be on the list when the list is announced -- but no one, as yet, has volunteered to go 'on the record.'

When I have some results to report, I will do so.

But, for now, however, reality intrudes, and I have discovery issues to which I must attend.

Illinois Judges Foundation Summer Reception set for August 26

The Illinois Judges Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Judges Association, will host its Summer Reception on Wednesday, August 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Corboy Hall at the Chicago Bar Association building, 321 S. Plymouth Court.

Proceeds from the reception support the charitable and educational programs of the Illinois Judges Association, including in particular the Harold Sullivan Scholarship. Headlining the event will be Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, Seventh Circuit Chief Judge Diane Wood, and Lake County Chief Judge John T. Phillips. This year's Harold Sullivan Scholarship recipients (Stephanie Wiggins of the NIU School of Law, Shymane Baker of the John Marshall Law School, and Tolani Odutayo, of the University of Illinois Law School) will also be honored.

Refreshments will be served.

Tickets for the event are $100 apiece and can be purchased online or by calling Christine Athanasoulis at (708) 705-4355.

Persons interested in becoming a sponsor of the event should contact either Kevin Fagan at ijf@chicagobar.org or Christine Athanasoulis.

Nichole C. Patton planning 2016 judicial bid?

Nichole C. Patton has a Facebook page announcing her plans to run for Cook County Circuit Court judge in the March 2016 primary. That's a link to the Facebook page in the preceding sentence; there is as yet no campaign website that I can find (the website link on the Facebook page is not active). When there is a campaign website, I'll add it to the blog Sidebar.

Patton filed for the Appellate Court in the 2014 Primary, but withdrew. She ran for the Circuit Court countywide in 2012, and from the 15th Subcircuit in 2010.

Patton is an Assistant State's Attorney. She has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1997.

Who sits where -- I can't believe it's already August edition

Petitions can begin circulating a month from today. The Cook County Democratic Party will meet to formally choose its judicial slate on August 18 and 19.

So it's time, again, to update the list of known Cook County judicial vacancies. Generally, these are vacancies that have been filled by interim Supreme Court appointment (or in which appointment processes are underway). There are surely other vacancies which the Supreme Court has not filled (there are rumored to be three vacancies in the 6th Subcircuit, for example, but below you will see listed only two). There will be additional vacancies, and additional appointments between now and late fall when the Illinois State Board of Elections posts an authoritative list of judicial vacancies in anticipation of the 2016 primary (a preliminary list of vacancies should go up on the ISBE website sometime this month).

As always, errors or omissions in this list are mine alone and I am grateful for additions and corrections provided.

Appellate Court Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. James R. Epstein -- Stuart E. Palmer
Vacancy of the Hon. Patrick J. Quinn -- Bertina E. Lampkin

Countywide Vacancies

Vacancy of the Hon. Paul P. Biebel, Jr. -- John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr.
Vacancy of the Hon. Richard J. Elrod -- Rossana P. Fernandez
Vacancy of the Hon. Thomas L. Hogan -- Alison Conlon
Vacancy of the Hon. Michael J. Howlett, Jr. -- Aleksandra Nikolich Gillespie
Vacancy of the Hon. Themis N. Karzenis -- Devlin J. Schoop
Vacancy of the Hon. Noreen Valeria Love -- Jean Margaret Cocozza
Vacancy of the Hon. Patrick W. O'Brien -- James L. Kaplan
Vacancy of the Hon. Susan Ruscitti-Grussel -- Daniel P. Duffy

Subcircuit Vacancies

1st Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Cynthia Y. Brim -- Maryam Ahmad
Vacancy of the Hon. Vanessa A. Hopkins -- Anthony E. Simpkins

4th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. William J. Kunkle -- Edward John King

5th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Jane L. Stuart -- Freddrenna M. Lyle
Vacancy of the Hon. Shelli Williams-Hayes -- Robin D. Shoffner

6th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Leida J. Gonzalez Santiago -- vacant
"A" Vacancy^* -- Anna M. Loftus

7th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Anthony L. Burrell -- Marianne Jackson

9th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Andrew Berman -- Jerry A. Esrig

10th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Garritt E. Howard -- Eve M. Reilly

11th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Carol A. Kelly -- Marc William Martin
Vacancy of the Hon. Susan F. Zwick -- William B. Sullivan

12th Subcircuit
Vacancy of the Hon. Sandra Tristano -- Carrie E. Hamilton
"A" Vacancy^** -- Roger G. Fein

I will update this list periodically, as new vacancies are announced or filled.

A navigation tip that blog newcomers may find helpful: If you click on one of the subjects at the bottom of this post, e.g., "2016 Judicial Primary," you will get a page filled with blog posts similarly tabbed, starting with the most recent post at the top.

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^* This is the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William J. Maddux. Vacancies of judges elected to city-only or suburbs-only judicial vacancies prior to the adoption of the subcircuit system in the early 1990s are assigned to subcircuits as they occur pursuant to a schedule included in the original subcircuit legislation.

^** This is the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert J. Quinn. Like Judge Maddux, Judge Quinn was elected to a 'Chicago-only' Circuit Court vacancy in 1992, the last time judges were elected on a citywide or suburbs-only basis (and also the first time judges were elected from Cook County Subcircuits).

ISBE publishes 2016 Candidate Guide, Election and Campaign Finance Calendar

If you're going to play the game, you've got to know the rules.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has published the rulebooks for the current election cycle. Here is a link to the 2016 Candidate Guide. Here, too, a link to the 2016 Election and Campaign Finance Calendar (both of these are .pdf documents).

Judicial candidates can begin circulating petitions as soon as one month from today -- September 1. The regular filing period opens November 23 and closes November 30.

Nominating petitions for judicial vacancies occurring during the interval from November 9 through November 30 will be accepted from December 14 through December 21.

The ISBE has not yet posted a list of Cook County judicial vacancies -- but if this election cycle is like the last one, we can expect a list to go up sometime in August. Whenever the list does go up, it will still be subject to change if and when new vacancies are posted.

Devlin J. Schoop appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court

The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Devlin J. Schoop to the Cook County Circuit Court vacancy that will be created at the end of this month, when Judge Themis N. Karzenis retires.

The appointment, which was announced by Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Supreme Court in a press release dated July 22, is effective August 10 and will expire on December 5, 2016.

Schoop has been a partner with the law firm of Laner Muchin since 2008. He was a finalist for Associate Judge in 2014. Licensed in Illinois since 1997, Schoop began his legal career as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Blanche M. Manning. Before joining Laner Muchin in 2003, Schoop worked for the firm of Wildman Harrold.

The Supreme Court had previously appointed Schoop to serve on the Hearing Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission; he has served as a panel chair for the ARDC Hearing Board since 2011. He has also volunteered his time for the Cook County Bar Association Criminal Expungement Project and the Center for Elder and Disability Law. Schoop has sat on the boards of the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Cy Pres Award Committee for the Chicago Bar Foundation. He served on the associate board of the Jane Addams Hull House association and recently completed a term on the Board of Managers of the Chicago Bar Association.